Summary:When they escape a Siberian labor camp in 1940 seven courageous multi-national prisoners discover the true meaning of friendship as their epic journey takes them across thousands of miles of hostile terrain en-route to India and their freedom. (Exclusive Media Group)

The overall metaphor Weir was aiming for - this idea of enemies so powerful and a war so menacing and confusingly big that no place seems safe except a place absurdly far away - comes through clearly and stays with you.

The Way Back then takes its time, creeping through gorgeous locations in Bulgaria, Morocco and Pakistan, and basically feeling like a two-hour-plus version of the desert scene from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

What would you do to survive? Would you become an animal that will do anything to survive or would there still be some humanity left in you?What would you do to survive? Would you become an animal that will do anything to survive or would there still be some humanity left in you? Would you rely on good will of other people or would you just look after yourself? Would you be ruthless, merciless, without any sympathy to other beings or would you show mercy, offer shelter, give food even if you know that it will lead to your death? This is a film that brings out these questions and let's you answer them for yourself. A gripping film with good acting and in my opinion one of better film that have came out this year.…Expand

This is one of those movies that I will remember forever. A true story about a group of people that escape a Siberian prison camp in 1941 andThis is one of those movies that I will remember forever. A true story about a group of people that escape a Siberian prison camp in 1941 and walk 4000 miles to freedom in India. The locations are beautiful, the acting was brilliant (particularly from Collin Farrel with his crazy Russian murderer character), the comedy is hilarious when it's there and the story is awe-inspiring. I can tell you now that I appreciate the life I have a lot more after seeing what these men (and one girl) had to go through. This is definitely the best survival/adventure movie I have ever seen, and as of now one of at least my top 5 favorite movies of all time. The way the director portrayed two death scenes in particular was... this may sound strange, but, beautiful. That final scene right at the end almost had me in tears.…Expand

Everything in this movie is just PERFECT.It is very difficult to find a good movie based on survival and this one is in the top 3 so far asEverything in this movie is just PERFECT.It is very difficult to find a good movie based on survival and this one is in the top 3 so far as per me.The characters are outstanding,the cinematography is at its best,locations were excellent.There is not a single flaw that I can point out.…Collapse

Even though it might appear that this really happened, there's no proof that it did. Either way, it's an amazing story of a group of men whoEven though it might appear that this really happened, there's no proof that it did. Either way, it's an amazing story of a group of men who escaped from a gulag in 40s Siberia and WALKED all the way to India. Needless to say, their journey is filled with hardships, danger and death. Director Peter Weir has crafted a film that's thoroughly involving without grabbing the emotions.…Expand

It features incredible performances from Colin Farrel, Saoirse Ronan and Jim Sturgess. And it is backed up by a mighty storyline even thoughIt features incredible performances from Colin Farrel, Saoirse Ronan and Jim Sturgess. And it is backed up by a mighty storyline even though the way it is told is a bit boring. I give this movie 66%.…Expand

If an epic comprises of too many repetitive details, it would be best to keep it short and to the point. These were the thoughts that wentIf an epic comprises of too many repetitive details, it would be best to keep it short and to the point. These were the thoughts that went through my head when watching The Way Back. With that said, by no means is this film lackluster, the cast is strong and the plot fascinating; But it is a disappointment that this compeller of a story is only half of the epic that it is intended to be.

Academy Award nominated director Peter Weir returns from a seven year hiatus with the quasi film adaptation of The Long Walk, a proclaimed true story of six men who walked 4000 miles from Siberia to India. While the validity of this story still remains questionable, Weir uses solely the premise of this epic, substituting the characters with ones of his own creation. The beginning of the film we see the main protagonist Janusz (Jim Sturgess), a Polish prisoner of war who has been accused of sabotage and espionage towards the Communist Party. He is then sent to serve twenty years at a Siberian gulag. There he meets an American, Mr. Smith (Ed Harris) who insists that kindness can kill you here. Janusz and Mr. Smith, along with four other men including Russian criminal Valka (Colin Ferell), devise an escape plan to escape the gulag. Peter Weir is really brief in this portion of the movie with the escape being described in under half an hour. As a result, the characters are hastily developed, placing a subtle wall between the audience and the main figures. After the escape, Janusz leads the party through 4000 miles of different terrain with obstacles opposing their will to survive and attain freedom. They also encounter a young Polish girl, played by the rising star Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, The Lovely Bones), who joins the party in their venture for freedom.

While the premise is strong, the walk is long (yes, it rhymes). The film goes into an hour of directionless plot, while also maintaining a rinse, wash, repeat style of story telling. The plot direction is as follows: walk one terrain, face natural obstacle, look at a another daunting terrain. While the direction in which the story is told is ultimately weak, the cast and the cinematography surely make up for it. Even though the cast is not as emotionally involved with the audience as it should be, the performances are solid. Ferrel and Harris are multi-dimensional as there is a mystery within both of the characters. If any emotion is involved with the characters, it will be towards these two. Saoirse Ronan, who by the way I am a big fan of, plays a small role but provides the much needed pathos. The main protagonist played by Sturgess is somewhat of a bland character, but it is he who creates the most dramatic moment at the end of the film. Another strong point of the movie, as said, is Russel Boyd's cinematography. The Way Back is from National Geographic Entertainment (which also produced March of The Penguins), resulting in images that illustrates nature in an eye-pleasing and interesting manner. Overall The Way Back is a superbly well-made film. Even though it has it moments of monotony, the cast and fascinating plot contributes to an entertaining experience as well providing a small commentary on communism. It may not have the strong emotional connection seen in Weir's other films (The Truman Show, Master And Commander), but the cast's efforts make the film compelling enough for a watch. Grade: B-…Expand